Course Site is Here!
As of the start of the Fall 2010 semester, Course Site has
become the official learning management system for the
University. In November 2009, Library and Technology
Services announced the university’s move from Blackboard™ to
Course Site.
The planning for this project began in the Fall of 2008 with
the investigation of a possible Blackboard™ replacement.
Based on faculty and student survey responses related to the
use of features and desired enhancements, the instructional
technology team proceeded with the testing of the open
source course management system “Moodle”. In order to better
reflect the purpose of this new learning management system,
Lehigh decided to name our installation of Moodle “Course
Site”.
Several factors contributed to the decision to move to
Course Site. Faculty and student feedback on the annual
Blackboard™ survey demonstrated an increasing desire for
enhanced, easy-to-use features. In addition, a new version
of Blackboard was close to release that was very different
from the version then in use. Instructional technology staff
recognized the level of re-training that would be required
for this new environment and were concerned that this
training effort might not result in appreciable improvements
for users of the system.
The adoption of an open source course management system also
enables the University to save on licensing costs, allowing
support of other teaching and learning initiatives.
Course Site pilot tests were run throughout the spring,
summer and fall 2009 semesters. These pilot courses spanned
all four colleges and included undergraduate, graduate, and
distance education students. Positive feedback from faculty
and students provided the impetus for making a campus-wide
move.
Here are some of
those comments:
“I now use the grading spreadsheet function. Bb's was
not worth the effort. I really like being able to add my
own grading scales.” - Instructor
“Pictures of students with all references to their names
is GREAT!” – Instructor
“MUCH better discussion forums...have been able to do a
lot more with it.” – Instructor
“The discussion boards are more user-friendly and
provoke discussion.” - Student
“Students can have more control over submitting their
work -- I like this. For example, I'll often ask for
initial draft, then final draft. In Bb, this would have
to be two separate assignments. In Moodle (Course Site),
it's all the same drop box -- makes more sense.”-
Instructor
“It’s so much easier to see all my course materials on
the front of the course page rather than having to dig
through the many places instructors could put things in
Blackboard” - Student
While it is
always challenging to change from one technology to another,
the instructional technology team in partnership with
faculty development is providing numerous opportunities for
faculty and staff to learn how to take advantage of the many
features within Course Site.
In addition to
recorded video tutorials, scheduled training classes, and
walk-in open lab sessions, instructional technology
consultants are available to meet one-on-one to answer
questions about how to best use Course Site to enhance
learning activities. Support is also available through the
Lehigh University Help Desk.
The Course Site
system and help resources are available at:
http://coursesite.lehigh.edu
-- Sherri
Yerk-Zwickl
Article posted September,
2010
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